Chapter 29

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TL: Single TL Translations

Chapter 29

A few days passed, and one day, good news arrived. It seems that the drama Aoi was in before was so well received that a sequel is going to be made. I congratulated her on the good news, but Aoi didn’t seem very happy when she told me over the phone. When I questioned her about it, I got an unexpected answer.

“I am happy, but with this… I won’t be able to hang out.”

“Hm?”

Hang out? I don’t understand how Aoi, who’s so serious about her work, would care that she won’t be able to hang out anymore. Aoi said as if giving an excuse towards my surprised self.

“Because if the shooting starts… then I’ll be busy again and won’t be able to see you. I’ll be late in messaging you too.”

“Well, well, that’s true, but”

“Even though I wanted to eat at that ethnic lunch we talked about the other day too…”

I can’t help but chuckle at the depressed sound of her voice. After the stalker case settled down, Aoi and I started going out for dinner again. We promised to go the place Aoi wanted to when we hung out last time.

“We can go there after the shooting finishes, right?”

“…Yeah… But I wanted to go together with you. Besides, I’m… working with Kazuya-kun*… again. …I… don’t want to.”

*May have called him Kazunari last time.

Kazuya-kun, as I recall, was Aoi’s ex-boyfriend who was persistently following her around. Come to think of it, I remember that guy was the star of the show.

“Ahh, that’s right. I see why you don’t want to. Well, I did tell him off before, so I think you’re fine, but if something happens, tell me, okay?”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Aoi’s voice is clearly gloomy. You certainly don’t want to be with that guy. It’s her job so it can’t be helped, but I am a little worried. I did warn him, but he looked stupid, so I’m worried if it’ll be okay. Then, Aoi let out a rare sigh, and muttered as if she remembered something.

“You see, I’ve been talking to Leila-chan… I mean Haruka-chan about going on a trip either during summer vacation or before that. I’ll definitely get a break, so… let’s definitely… go, okay?”

“Alright, I understand. I’m looking forward to it. I can use my paid vacation, so I’ll be fine. Rather, you seem to be getting along well with Haruka. Plus, you’re even talking to her about a trip. “

She’s calling her by her real name instead of professional name and even planning a trip together. We’re talking about Haruka here, so we’re really going to go on a trip, but Aoi is the complete opposite of Haruka’s type, so I’m surprised and kind of happy she became friends with her.

“Huh? Yeah. We talk a lot, and sometimes, we go out. Haruka-chan knows a lot about delicious food and places to hang out, it’s fun. We’re talking about our travel plans right now. “

“I see. I’m glad, I’m glad. Haruka doesn’t say anything, so I didn’t know. Well, I’ll leave that to you, I won’t complain, so”

“Okay! Look forward to it. We haven’t planned that much yet, but I’ll think about different things so that we’ll have fun.”

I was a little relieved to see Aoi so happy. I replied to Aoi’s cheerful talk, a drastic change from before, and hung up the phone after talking a little about the trips that’s to come.

The shooting may have started soon after since I lost contact with Aoi. I was still working and hanging out with my friends while thinking nostalgically about how this happened before.

Those days continued and today, for the first in a while, I had dinner with friend from my nursing class. It was a Saturday night, so it was a little crowded, but we entered an izakaya and talked a lot about our industry. We’re both going through our own hardships, but it was fun and stimulating to talk to each other after a long time. After a few drinks, we split up early and when I was about to leave, I received a call. It was from Tooru, someone I haven’t seen recently.

“Hello.”

“Oh, Yuki? Where are you right now?”

“Huh, I’m near ▲▲ station.”

“Then come to the mix bar from the other day.”

I answered as if I didn’t want to, not particularly upset since this is something he’s been doing for a long time. He’s probably been drinking.

“Now? That’s going to continue until morning for sure.”

“It’s fine, come! I’ll treat you! It’s been a while, right?”

“Mm… alright, alright. Just wait a second.”

“Got it! Hurry up and come!”

Even if I refuse, Tooru will keep calling, so I agreed since I don’t have any plans tomorrow. The mix bar is close to here. It looks like today will be a long day. But it’s been a while since I’ve had a drink with Tooru, so I was sort of looking forward to it.

When I arrived at the mix bar where Tooru and I previously drank a lot and got wasted, he was already singing at the karaoke, and it was lively.

“Ohh! You’re finally here! You’re really late.”

Tooru was sitting in a box seat in the back with Leila and a customer I didn’t know. I’m really surprised at how sociable these two are, if they’ve already made friends with a person I don’t know. Tooru beckoned me over.

“Sorry, sorry, it’s been a while. Leila, you’re here too?”

“Yep! I haven’t seen you since the other day! I was lonely not being able to see you! Let’s drink a lot today!”

I sat down next to Leila and Tooru put a bottle of tequila in front of me, which he seemed to have already prepared. While I’m used to it, doing something like this to a woman, I really wonder about this guy’s delicacy.

“For now, you’ll have the ‘welcome tequila’, ‘kay!”

“Ah, yeah, got it.”

“Good luck, Yuki!”

The two of them laughed happily while I was exasperated and drank it all down in one gulp. I can feel the burn in my throat and the taste is horrible. I immediately chewed and sucked on a lemon.

“Ahh, disgusting.”

“I thought so and already prepared alcohol for you!”

I sarcastically thanked Leila for being so prepared, but she smiled at me as if she didn’t understand. I drank a cup of shochu with tea and remembered that this kind of thing is pointless for these two.

“You haven’t been drinking at all lately, right? You haven’t been to Shouta’s place either.”

Tooru started talking while drinking. I’ve only met Aoi since I was injured in the Aoi stalker incident and didn’t tell anyone about it either. I had no intention of telling anyone, so I responded evasively.

“I’ve been hanging out with my friends a lot instead of drinking, plus there’s been a lot going on lately. How about you, Tooru? Well, you’re probably still the same as always.”

“I’m, well, I guess you’re right. I’ve been having fun drinking and going to the Filipino pub.”

I was thinking that Tooru was a fool with his smirking, when Leila interrupted Tooru’s unimportant talk as if she was exasperated with him.

“You’re still going to the Filipino pub? Aren’t you just trying to get them drunk and get laid? You’re shallow, I’ll kick you in the groin, you know? Haa, gross. …Ah! Anyway, Yuki, you’ve been hanging out with Aoi lately, haven’t you?”

Tooru felt dejected without having any excuses at Leila’s straightforward statement with no reserve. He’s a really stupid guy, he didn’t have to say it. Leila even went on a rant about it, but she seems to have lost interest in Tooru, which made me laugh a little.

“Ahh, that’s true, but. How’d you know?”

Leila asked with a smirk.

“Because Aoi-chan talks about Yuki all the time, very happily.”

She probably persistently asked Aoi about it. I’m appalled that I know without even having to think about it.

“You probably pestered her about it, didn’t you? Aoi told me that you’ve been getting along well together lately, but you should be careful when you walk outside, okay?”

“Huh? How’d you know? Yuki, you’re just like an esper. To think you’d know I was super persistent… Ah, but I do it properly when I hang out with Aoi, so it’s fine!”

I’m not an esper, but I know Leila quite well. I’m a little nervous about Leila, who’s puffing out her chest like that, but I guess she’s somehow getting by.

“Who’s Aoi? Your new drinking buddy?”

Tooru interrupted. From that expression, it seems like he’s reflected.

“You met her the other day, didn’t you? When I brought my friend over…”

“Ahh, that girl! That girl was super cute! You were like a background.”

“Hey, don’t be rude.”

Tooru nodded, looking deeply moved, but he didn’t listen as I told him as if to reprimanding him for his remark that was nothing but an insult. I’m so pissed off, even though also Leila told him off just now.

“Tooru! Tooru! Aoi, you see, she’s a model! She was in a drama the other day, and she’s doing a sequel for it too!”

“Wow! Seriously? But I guess that makes sense when she’s that cute.”

“Right, right? She looks cute, but she’s also a really nice girl on the inside too! But she only hangs out with Yuki. It’s annoying, isn’t it, even though she’s Yuki, the nerve of her.”

Leila, who’d been so excited and happy to see me, suddenly changed her expression to a discontent one. Even if you tell me that.

“…Leila, she’s hanging out with you too, isn’t she?”

“You’re right, but Aoi-chan’s always talking about where she’s been with you and what you’ve been doing together, you know? It’s so frustrating!”

“Huh, really?”

So Aoi’s talking about me when I’m not there, huh. Aoi was probably pestered by Leila anyway, plus I can imagine her getting embarrassed while talking.

“That’s right! Geez, it’s making me so angry, so hurry up and drink!”

“Yeah, that’s right! I’m angry because Yuki isn’t drinking, so drink!!”

For some reason, I’m being antagonized and urged by the two of them. I understand Leila, but how’d it end up like this? Then a lightly dressed transvestite mama* across the counter came up to me. While it’s been a while since I last came over, it seems she remembers me. As soon as she came, she started yelling at me in a loud voice.

*Term used for the owner of a bar. Typically used for the female sex, though in this case it’s being used for the transvestite man due to him wanting to be called that.

“You! I haven’t seen you around lately, what shop have you been going to?! Cheating? You’re cheating on me, aren’t you? Tell me!! I’ll burn that place down!! I’ll burn it till there’s nothing left! Rather than that, hurry up and drink already! You haven’t been drinking at all yet!”

“That’s right, that’s right!!”

While she doesn’t seem to understand what’s going on, Leila’s happily taking advantage of the situation of what’s being said. Please stop them. It was getting too noisy, so I raised my voice.

“I got it, I understand! I just have to drink it, right? You’re being loud, so shut up! I’ll drink it, okay!”

The mama was urging me on as well, so I had no choice but to finish the glass of alcohol. I thought she would be satisfied with this, but she sat down on the chair in front of me and started making drinks. It seems like this isn’t the end.

“You know, I can’t feel your motivation at all. What’s wrong? Even though you used to drink and make so much noise, what did you come here for?”

“Well, that’s…”

“She came here to drink! Right, Yuki?”

Leila smiled as she joked around, interjecting with unnecessary words. I feel tried already. Leila seems to be feeling great, though.

“Eh, uhh, yeah.”

“If you don’t drink, I’ll keep vigil! Sing and drink for now! I’ll listen to what you have to say afterwards!!”

“Yes! Roger!! Yuki! I’ll play the song!”

“Ah, yeah… okay”

I really don’t understand what’s going on anymore, and I’m being swept along, but I give up already. What will be, will be. I think it’s alright as long as I drink and have fun. We drank, sang, made a lot of noise and had a lot of fun.

TL Note: mb for the late upload, was a little busy.

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